JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, PATRIOT-NewsHollis Scarborough, while teaching a class in auditioning for musical theater, gives instructions to Dorothy Nichter 18. Dorothy and other Susquehanna Twp. students were participating in Classroom180 on Saturday.

Voices belted out show tunes in one corner of Susquehanna Twp. High School. Another room was filled with the sounds of dancing feet, beating rhythmically on a stage floor. A third was one of silent contemplation as high schoolers embodied words in tableau.

Many students would cringe at the idea of being in school on a Saturday. That was not the case for students participating in Classroom180, who were getting a taste of what it is like to be a performer on the Great White Way.

Classroom180 is Open Stage of Harrisburg’s new education initiative. The program brings professional actors to central Pennsylvania to share their tips of the trade, including leading workshops in dance, voice or acting.

“Anne [Alsedek] and I were trying to figure out a way to raise the bar for performance in Central Pennsylvania,” said Stuart Landon, marketing and sales manager at Open Stage.

Together, he and Alsedek, Open Stage Education Director, came up with the idea of Classroom180 — which was fueled by Landon becoming director of the Susquehanna Twp. High School’s musical production of “Hairspray.”

One of Landon’s friends Hollis Scarborough had performed in the Las Vegas production of the show. He called and asked if she would be willing to come down and lead workshops with the students. “I said, ‘I want to bring you guys in. You know this show,’” he said.

Scarborough agreed and so did actress Lori Eve Marinacci, who had performed in both the Las Vegas and Broadway productions. They taught students how to give a vocal audition and instructed them in the show’s choreography.

The day of workshops was not just for cast members, as Landon invited other members of the school community, including some middle schoolers, to participate. Around 50 students attended.

Scarborough concerned herself with helping the students with body language and emoting.

“We’re just talking on pitch, having a conversation,” she said before grabbing onto a student’s leg to prevent him from swaying. “We don’t sway when we’re having a conversation, why would we do it singing?” she said.

'Hairspray' Dance Workshop20 minutes into a dancing workshop with New York City actress Lori Eve Marinacci and the students at Open Stage of Harrisburg's Classroom180 at Susquehanna Twp. High School were already on their way to mastering Broadway's "Hairspray" choreography.

Within minutes of Marinacci’s dance workshop, students were performing the choreography with little problem. “I think the kids are really great,” Marinacci said. “These kids are amazing.”

While Marinacci and Scarborough coached vocal auditions and dancing, Alsedek taught an acting course. To a passerby it would seem like a history lesson, as she explored the world of “Hairspray” with the students, discussing everything from the steps on the houses in Baltimore to the impact of Brown vs. Board of Education on the city.

“Acting is living truthfully in imaginary circumstances,” Alsedek said. “So when we do ‘Hairspray’ we are living truthfully, just the circumstances are made up.”

When Alsedek asked the students how many of them wanted to be professional actors, roughly half the hands were raised.

Among those who attended Classroom180 who want to make acting their profession was Susquehanna Twp. senior Aidan Roth. The 17 year-old Roth, who is not going to college, is hoping to land in an acting conservatory. Failing that, he plans on auditioning as much as he can.

Having this kind of experience meant the world to him. “I’m glad this could happen today,” he said. “I love it. I’m learning a lot.”

This will be the first of many similar workshops, if Ralph Lovelidge, high school principal, has his way. “We’d love to have and create a variety of opportunities for students to work in the arts,” he said.

For Lovelidge, the day’s activities were not all the different from an average day of school. According to him, they should all have the same conclusion.

“What [students] should get out of today is what they should get out of everyday at school,” he said. “They should gather knowledge to help them going forward.”

Related Stories

Featured Story

Get 'Today's Front Page' in your inbox

This newsletter is sent every morning at 6 a.m. and includes the morning's top stories, a full list of obituaries, links to comics and puzzles and the most recent news, sports and entertainment headlines.

optionalCheck here if you do not want to receive additional email offers and information.See our privacy policy

Thank you for signing up for 'Today's Front Page'

To view and subscribe to any of our other newsletters, please click here.